Jason Sudeikis on Improv’s Biggest Lesson

Jason Sudeikis in Ted Lasso, now streaming on Apple TV+.​

Jason Sudeikis spoke about his biggest improv lesson following Critics Choice Awards wins for Best Actor and Best Comedy Series.

Ted Lasso was a big winner tonight with three wins for Best Comedy Series, Best Actor, and Best Supporting Actress (Hannah Waddingham). It wasn’t a complete comedy sweep in television comedy since nobody was up for Best Actress. However, the series, which premiered in August 2020, won all three awards they were nominated for. Ted Lasso was quickly renewed for a second season. In October, Apple TV renewed the series for a third and final season. Following the Best Comedy Series win, Sudeikis and co-creator/star Brendan Hunt took to the winner’s press room on Zoom.

If you must know, Sudeikis was casual again–this time sporting a hoodie with the emblem of Booksmart‘s Crockett High School.

Jason Sudeikis and Brendant Hunt
(L-R) In this screengrab, Jason Sudeikis and Brendan Hunt, winners of Best Comedy Series Award, arrive at the press room at the 26th Annual Critics Choice Awards on March 07, 2021. (Photo by Getty Images/Getty Images for the Critics Choice Association)

Congrats on the win and greetings from Chicago!

Jason Sudeikis: Yes, yes. Hello.

Jason, what I want to know is what is the biggest improv lesson that you’ve taken throughout your career?

Jason Sudeikis: I think there’s a few that come up but I mean, certainly the tenets of improv: Yes, and…Agreeing with something and then adding to it. But then one that’s come up a lot recently is one that that I remember Del Close saying although he may have taken it from someone else: “It’s more important to love the art in yourself than yourself in the art.” That’s one that really resonates especially as we’re going through this sort of process of being handed trophies for making stuff when I think as long as you keep your focus on the storytelling and saying please and thank you while doing so then you know this is all gravy.

Alright. Thank you and congrats again.

Jason Sudeikis: Thank you. Nice to see you.

Brendan Hunt: Thank you.

Ted Lasso is streaming exclusively on Apple TV+.

Danielle Solzman

Danielle Solzman is native of Louisville, KY, and holds a BA in Public Relations from Northern Kentucky University and a MA in Media Communications from Webster University. She roots for her beloved Kentucky Wildcats, St. Louis Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, and Boston Celtics. Living less than a mile away from Wrigley Field in Chicago, she is an active reader (sports/entertainment/history/biographies/select fiction) and involved with the Chicago improv scene. She also sees many movies and reviews them. She has previously written for Redbird Rants, Wildcat Blue Nation, and Hidden Remote/Flicksided. From April 2016 through May 2017, her film reviews can be found on Creators.